There are a few simple ways you can freeze mushrooms and store them in the freezer all year round. There's nothing like the taste of fresh wild mushrooms or mushrooms. Whether sliced raw for salads, sautéed in garlic and olive oil, or stuffed with breadcrumbs, their rich flavor makes them the star of many dishes. The fact that they are nutritious also adds health benefits. Beyond that is thatFreezing in autumna great way to enjoy the nutrients it contains in winter. Here are the best ways to store this versatile ingredient in the freezer.
Stock up for the winter season and freeze mushrooms
If you are a mushroom lover, you will thank yourself when you get ready before the cold seasonstock up with frozen supplies. However, various types of mushrooms and cultivated mushrooms usually last less than a week in the refrigerator. Luckily, there's a solution that won't require you to eat a bowl of mushrooms instead of cereal for breakfast or throw them in the trash: you can freeze your mushrooms. Then freeze these until you're ready to use them in all your favorite dishes and to make sure you don't waste any of them if you have some on hand. Choose ones that look and smell fresh. You should avoid mushrooms that are dry, shriveled, darkened, moldy, have spots, or give off an unpleasant odor. In addition, you should only freeze mushrooms that are in good condition.
Which types of mushrooms are suitable for storing in the freezer
You can also successfully dry most types of mushrooms, but not all. Some have a much better texture when you freeze them. While some of them are better cooked before freezing, others freeze well raw. Grocery store mushrooms are cultivated mushrooms that you can freeze raw or cooked. Chestnut sponge and maitake can also be frozen raw. Wild mushrooms of the slimy genus Schmerling are tasty, but they have a high moisture content that it is almost impossible to dehydrate them well. You should rather preserve these.
With both raw and cooked mushrooms, the goal when freezing them is to prevent them from becoming mushy. Plus, when it comes time to use them in a recipe, you should also be able to pull out exactly what you need and not have to defrost an entire block of frozen food. With raw mushrooms, you can avoid this problem by freezing them in a single layer first before packing everything in freezer bags.
Choose the best method and prepare the mushrooms
There are different ways to freeze mushrooms. For example, you can blanch them, which preserves the nutrients. Sautéing is also good to keep the mushrooms nutritious. Most of these have a high water content and can be mushy when thawed, so it's best to cook them straight from frozen. If you want to freeze the mushrooms raw, you can do so, but it will affect their nutritional value.
- Wash the mushrooms in cold water and cut off the ends of the stems. Mushrooms larger than 1 inch in diameter should be cut into slices or quarters.
- Freezing changes the color and texture of the mushrooms, making them both darker and softer.
- Steamed mushrooms have a longer shelf life in the freezer than sautéed mushrooms.
- Scrub and brush the vegetables to remove dirt. Do not wash the mushrooms as they may become soggy. You can slice them or leave them whole, although smaller mushrooms are best for freezing whole.
- Place them on a tray and freeze until solid, then place in a labeled, resealable freezer bag, expelling any excess air.
- It is best to consume the frozen mushrooms within a few months.
This is how you can freeze raw mushrooms
Freezing the mushrooms raw causes them to take on a softer texture when thawed. It is still possible to preserve them this way, although they are better for adding to soups and sauces than eating them plain. Here's how:
- Clean and prepare mushrooms. You can freeze them whole or slice them depending on how you want to use them later after thawing.
- Spread on a baking tray lined with baking paper and freeze.
- Separating the mushrooms allows them to freeze individually instead of in one big clump.
- Once frozen, you can remove them from the baking tray and place them in freezer bags or suitable plastic containers. Then put them in the freezer until you are ready to use them again.
Sauté mushrooms or mushrooms and then store them in the freezer
A quick sauté helps better preserve the flavor of mushrooms you plan to freeze. From a culinary point of view, if you plan to make champignons or wild mushrooms the star of your dish, it is recommended to sauté them first. Additionally, sautéing is another method to bring out their flavor.
- First, heat some olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat, then add the mushrooms in an even layer.
- Sauté until the mushrooms are golden brown on one side, about three to four minutes.
- Flip the pieces over and brown the other side for another three to four minutes.
- Then remove the mushrooms from the heat and let them cool to room temperature.
- Transfer everything again into suitable bags or containers.
- If you prefer, you can freeze the mushrooms on a tray first, like the raw variety, to keep them separate.
Blanch them first and then freeze the mushrooms
To minimize the darkening effect of steaming, you can soak the mushrooms for five minutes in a solution of 1 teaspoon lemon juice or 1 1/2 teaspoons citric acid to 1 pint of water. Then vape after these recommended times:
- Whole mushrooms: 5 minutes
- Mushrooms: 3 1/2 minutes
- Quartered Mushrooms: 3 1/2 Minutes
- Sliced mushrooms: 3 minutes
Flash freeze mushrooms for better taste
Another method is to let the mushrooms cool completely. Then you can spread the pieces again on a baking tray and freeze them in a blast freezer. Once completely frozen, use a spatula to lift the mushrooms from the baking sheet. Then pack them all into desired containers, leaving some room for expansion and return them to the freezer. Squeeze out as much air as possible before sealing the containers. This helps prevent freezer burn. You can also use a vacuum bag to pack your mushrooms like this. Because of their high water content, mushrooms are more susceptible to freezer burn than other foods. Also note that washing mushrooms can sometimes make them soggy and cause freezer burn. Some people prefer to simply brush or wipe them before putting them in the freezer.
Thaw and use frozen mushrooms
When you're ready to use your frozen mushrooms, you can cook them while still frozen if you want them to go straight into soups or sauces. Again, mushrooms have a high water content, so the additional water from any ice that may form is not a problem. If you want to enjoy the ingredient straight, it is better to thaw it first. Simply take them out of the freezer and place them in the fridge overnight. Frozen mushrooms have a shelf life of 9 to 12 months. However, for the best flavor and texture, you shouldn't keep them for longer than four months. But if you like mushrooms, you probably won't leave them in your freezer for that long anyway. Avoid stacking other foods on top to prevent bruising. Also keep the mushrooms away from strong-smelling foods as they are like sponges and absorb the smell.
